I haven't tasted real beer for 60 years, when I sat on my grampas lap, and sneaked sips when he wasn't looking.
I don't know how much hops costs these days, but it must be more than American brewers will pay.
[I don't know how much hops costs these days, but it must be more than American brewers will pay.]
As a home brewer, I grow my own Cascade hops (a climbing vine, native to North America) and they practically take care of themselves, yield more than I can possibly use in a year, and cost me nothing but the few hours required to pick them.
I also make a tea out of them that combined with honey is a good, relaxing, bedtime tea.
Here's wha they look like and how to grow your own.
http://my.vbe.com/~hawley/hops.htm